Richland County

Office of the Zoning Administrator

Courthouse

181 West Seminary Street

Richland Center, WI 53581

608-647-2447

www.co.richland.wi.us/department/zoning

 

RICHLAND COUNTY BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS

MEETING MINUTES

JULY 2, 2009

 

Item #1            Sebranek called the meeting to order at 1:08 p.m.  Those present were Larry Sebranek, Tom McGlynn, Allen Rippchien, Randy Heims, Gilman Moe, Harriet Pedley, Scott Stiemke, Donald Julson and Richard Rasmussen. 

 

Item #2            Motion by Moe, seconded by Rippchien to approve the agenda, changing Item #3 from January 8, 2009 to June 11, 2009 and publication.  Motion carried.

 

Item #3            Pedley handed out the final draft of the June minutes.  The minutes that were mailed were the first draft of the minutes.  Motion by Heims, seconded by McGlynn to approve the June 11, 2009 meeting meetings as handed out.  Motion carried.

 

Item #4            The Board heard a petition from Scott & Ann Stiemke to request a variance for the purpose to erect an addition closer to Klang Drive than is required.  The required setback from the centerline of Klang Drive is 70 feet.  The Stiemke’s are requesting a setback of 60 feet all in Section 11 of Westford Township.  The Board members reviewed the packet sent to them which included photos of the property and a plot plan showing the addition.  The packet also included the required information sheet why they think the requirement of 70 feet from the centerline is creating an unnecessary hardship for their property.  They explained that they own .5 acres and part of the .5 acre lot is a shared driveway that cuts across the front 1/3 of their lot.  There is an existing porch that has rotted away and they would like to replace it with a larger enclosure but will not be closer to the road then they are now.  The lot is 165 feet deep and 130 feet wide and the house was built in 1953.  The addition will not harm the public interest because they will continue to share their driveway with the neighbors and no new driveway is anticipated that may cause concern to Westford Township.  Pedley reported that notices were sent to neighbors: Yoder, Klang, Bruha, William Seep, Supervisory District 4 and Judy Thompson, Town of Westford Clerk.  None on the list were heard from either way.  Motion by Moe, seconded by McGlynn to approve the request to build the addition 60 feet from the centerline of Klang Drive.  Motion carried with all members reviewing the same information and voting for the same reasons. 

 

Item #4            The Board heard a petition from Don & Wilma Julson to request a variance for the purpose of building a garage closer to County Hwy B than is required.  The required setback from the centerline of County Hwy B is 90 feet.  The Julson’s are requesting a setback of 65 feet from the centerline all in Section 6 of Buena Vista Township.  The Board members reviewed the packet of information provided to them which included photos and an aerial photo.  The packet also included the required information sheet why they think the requirement of 90 feet from the centerline is creating an unnecessary hardship for their property.  Their home is presently 1250 square feet with no garage.  Additional storage is requested and the use is permitted in the zoning district they are in.   Not having a garage would be unnecessarily burdensome to them.  The property has steep slopes in the only other area large enough for the proposed garage.  This area has a wetland.  This portion of the property in also in a floodplain.  Large amounts of fill would be necessary which could be harmful to the resources.  Single family dwellings and accessory uses are allowed.  The home is 60+ years old and has no existing garage.  No new driveway will be required from County Hwy B.  Pedley reported that neighbors Ghastin, Ronald Gald, Russell Gald, James, Sextonville Sanitary District #1, the City of Richland Center Airport, Richard Rasmussen, Supervisor District 19 and Paul O’Neal, Buena Vista Township Clerk.  No neighbors were heard from.  Board members discussed the height of the proposed garage in relation to the airport.  Pedley stated that if the height of the garage was a problem with the City, they should have commented.  It was noted that the City is in the process of building a hanger that is considerably higher than Julson’s proposed garage.  Motion by Heims, seconded by Rippchien to approve the requested variance to 65 feet from the centerline of County Hwy B.  Motion carried with all members viewing the same information and voting for the same reasons.

 

Item #6            Pedley reported to the Board members on some information from the Wisconsin State Statutes that she recently read.  It states that a county may reduce the size of their Board of Adjustments to less than 5 but not less than 3.  She is proposing that this may be considered as one as a way to solve the problem of finding candidates for the board and is asking for the opinion of the board members.  The consensus was that five members are very helpful in contentious circumstances.  Moe stated he didn’t have any problem with a three member board but did agree sometimes five members would be better.  Pedley will meet with the county attorney and get some legal questions answered and place this issue on the next agenda.

 

Item #7            Nothing to report on Vodak vs. RC Board of Adjustment Cad #08-CV-203.

 

Item #8            Nothing else to report

 

Item #9            Motion by Heims, seconded by McGlynn to adjourn.  Motion carried.